Here's how to replace a sway bar linkage on a Toyota or Lexus vehicle.

Procedure is similar for other domestic and import vehicles as well.

The stabilizer link ties the strut to the stabilizer bar, which acts as a torsion beam to reduce body roll during cornering. On many older Toyota and Lexus vehicles, a worn stabilizer link is a common cause of rear suspension clunks when you drive over bumps.

The link is connected via a small ball joint and a boot. If the boot is ripped, or after high mileage, dirt and debris can get in and degrade the ball joint, causing it to be loose. While it''s not a direct safety issue if the bar fails, its characteristic clunking will require addressing if you desire sane ride quality.

The ball joint on the sway bar is held by a 14mm nut and a shaft to be held with a hex key. It's common for the hex key hole to strip out, leaving you to either use vise grips to grip the shaft of the ball joint stud while removing the nut or cut the link off altogether.

The replacement stabilizer bar link is made in China for a Canadian company, Mevotech, model MK90345. It will fit Lexus ES300, ES330 and ES350, RX330, RX350, ES300H, RX400H as well as Toyota Camry, Highlander, Avalon, Venza and Solara.

Zerk fittings are included with the link and are to be installed and greased when put into service. Use a lithium or high temperature wheel bearing grease in a grease gun.

The Mevotech stabilizer linkage does not have a hex hole in the stud, instead it uses two nuts to be tightened against each other with wrenches, avoiding the stripping problem of the OEM link units.

Be sure both wheels are off the ground when replacing so no tension is on the stabilizer link or bar.

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